Crazy Speculation - Monster Stat Block

[BASHMAN]

-There are not multiple attacks

I don't know, the Red Dragon from the description in one of the updates could make like 7 or so attacks in a round. Granted, some of them were "free actions" granted by a special ability, but still!

 

[pemerton]

Well, I guess I didn't express myself clearly enough. What I meant is exactly what you stated: Monsters in 3E have stats, feats, skills, etc. exactly like the player characters. I don't really mind how the monsters are designed, as long as that stays true.

This thread just contains speculations how the 4E stat-block might look like. We don't know, how it will really look like.
What I wouldn't like to see is monsters having an optimized stat-block that no longer contains all of the 'normal' stats. They'll probably do away with HD. They might remove the attributes (str, dex, con, etc.) as well. That would be a step back, imho.

I see what you mean, but I think that we should draw the opposite conclusion: because monster stat blocks won't have hit dice or feats (whereas PC stat blocks will), we can infer that these things do not feed into the action-resolution system, and are purely metagame devices for determining certain values (like attack or skill bonuses) that do feed into the aciton resolution system, and that will be in the monster stat blocks.

The difference from RQ would then be this: that 4e, unlike RQ, has non-simulationist pure metagame mechanical components of the PCs.

Mr. Mearls mentioned exception-based design for monsters. If that means that every monster ability is unique to a single monster it won't make using monsters any easier. Similar monsters will eventually have abilities that are 'almost' identical. If there's a monster with a 'Mighty Grapple' ability and another one with a 'Powerful Grapple' which are only different in some small detail, then that's a bad thing because you'll mix them up.

It doesn't matter if the abilities are explained in full detail along with the stat-block. In 3E once you knew how 'Improved Grapple' worked, you didn't need to look it up or read it any more. With time you could master all monster abilities. It sounds like that might become impossible in 4E.

I agree here, but I'm happy to rely on the designers good judgement to preserve consistency where possible and appropriate.

 

[Majoru Oakheart]

I don't know, the Red Dragon from the description in one of the updates could make like 7 or so attacks in a round. Granted, some of them were "free actions" granted by a special ability, but still!

All except 2 seemed to be. And I meant iterative attacks. I got the impression that the dragons standard attack was "2 claws" but it only took a standard action to use them.

 

[Andrew D. Gable]

If monsters have no HD, how are hit points determined? Is it based on level+Constitution or something?

 

[loseth]

Don't know if I've been scooped, but from wizards World Wide Gameday advertising:

We are sending each venue a treasure chest of goodies that include an special adventure sent in Icewind Dale a location in the popular Forgotten Realms world. Each chest contains enough adventures, complete with full color maps and miniatures, to ensure 25 players can strive for fame and fortune at the same time.

There will also be limited numbers of a special giveaway miniature from the latest Desert of Desolation D&D Miniatures set. This miniature comes with a totally unique first! Each comes with the very first 4th Edition stat card detailing not just the new stats for the new edition of D&D but also the stats for the new D&D Miniatures game! Those lucky heroes receiving one of these will be in the vanguard of information as these are the very first stats publicly released for the new game.

I guess we'll be finding out what 4e stat blocks look like pretty soon.

 

[pemerton]

If monsters have no HD, how are hit points determined? Is it based on level+Constitution or something?

They are stipulated, based on the degree of challenge the monster is intended to pose, and the role it is intended to play within the encounter.

 

[Baby Samurai]

I got the impression that the dragons standard attack was "2 claws" but it only took a standard action to use them.

Which is true – they have stated that the full attack action no longer exists.

Iterative attacks are gone.

So it looks like you can make multiple attacks as a standard action (multiple natural weapons, rain of blows etc), and that AoO are now replaced with an immediate action.

At least that is what I gleaned form the dragon article.